headteachers have been interdicted for charging unauthorized fees in SHSs

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The Ghana Education Service (GES) has taken a decisive action by interdicting eleven senior high school headteachers across the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Bono Regions for their alleged involvement in charging unauthorized fees from new students.

This was contained in separate press statements issued by Regional GES offices.

The statements announced that the GES has initiated comprehensive investigations into the conduct of these headteachers.

The affected headteachers are Selina Anane Afoakwa, Headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS, Nataniel Asamoah, Headmaster of Asanteman SHS, Andrews Boateng, Headmaster of Kumasi Senior High Technical School, Kwadwo Obeng-Appiah, Headmaster of Manso-Edubia SHS, Daniel Boamah Duku, Headmaster of the Agric Nzema Community SHS, Gladys Sarfowah, Headmistress of Nkawie Senior High Technical School, Ampong Ahmed Omar, Headmaster of Collins SHS, Afi Yaw Stephen, Headmaster of Berekum Senior High School, and Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu, Headmaster of Odomaseman Senior High School.

Additionally, the headteachers of O’Reilly Senior High School and Ghana Senior High School, Nadia Lartechoe Annan and Patience Naki Mensah, respectively, are also part of the interdicted group.

The GES accused the headteachers of charging students various unapproved fees, including house dues, books, calculators, admission process fees, and charges for the printing of slips, files, and hymn books.

This development follows a pattern of similar interdictions in the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions for the unauthorized sale of items to students.

Mr. Afi Yaw Stephen and Mr. Joseph Jilinjeh Abudu were directed to step aside for selling unauthorized items, including “Borla fees,” “motivation fees,” “lunch bag” charges, and GHC45 for hymn books, SRC fees, brown khaki, and other items, respectively.

In specific cases, Nadia Lartechoe Annan, the headmistress of O’Reilly SHS, has been directed to step aside pending an investigation into the unauthorized collection of money during the admission process.

The GES letter, dated December 6th, 2023, cited this action as a violation of the school’s code of conduct. The letter instructed her to hand over all school property to the Municipal Director of Education, Ledzokuku, who will oversee the school during her absence.

Similarly, Patience Naki Mensah, the headmistress of Ghana Senior High School, has been asked to step aside from December 7th, 2023.

This follows allegations of the unauthorized sale of ceremonial cloth, tracksuits, and other items to Form One students reporting to the school. The GES letter, dated December 7th, 2023, emphasized the need for further investigation into the alleged sale of items and directed her to step aside during this period.

These interdictions underscore the GES’s commitment to upholding transparency and ethical conduct within the education system, ensuring that students and their families are not subjected to unauthorized financial burdens during their academic pursuits. Investigations into the actions of the interdicted headteachers will determine the extent of unauthorized fees charged and the necessary corrective measures.